Fact Check: Did IBB dismiss Atiku Abubakar from Customs?

A viral report has claimed that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Atiku Abubakar was dismissed from the Nigeria Customs Service.

The report, which was shared on a WhatsApp group called World Politics and News, claimed that Atiku was dismissed from service after allegedly stealing money.

The group claimed thus:

Point of Correction.

“Ex. VP Atiku Abubakar wasn’t retired by Ex. President IBB because of promotion exams. He actually stole custom money and he was taken to President IBB’s office at Dodon Barrack in handcuffs. The President got angry and instructed handcuffs should be removed.

“Prior to that his in-law the former Emir of Adamawa had lobbied IBB and pleaded on his behalf and that was why he was retired (Allah A’alam). Know the history correctly.

VERIFICATION

A fact check by IDOMA VOICE showed that Abubakar worked in the Nigeria Customs Service for twenty years, rising to become the Deputy Director, as the second highest position in the Service was then known; he retired in April 1989 and took up full-time business and politics.

The report of his dismissal is FALSE.